DV-S20 digital MPEG 4 camcorder user's guide Contents Contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . i Introducing Your Gateway Digital MPEG4 Camcorder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Important Safeguards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Package contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Back . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Getting Started . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Connecting the wrist strap . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Installing the batteries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Installing an optional SD memory card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Turning on your camcorder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Setting the date and time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Using the OSD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Using your camcorder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Understanding LCD display information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Understanding image quality and storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Recording video and still images . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Using the flash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Using the digital zoom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Using the self-timer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Viewing images . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Deleting images . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Connecting your camcorder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 Error messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 LED indicators and audible beeps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 FCC Statement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 ii Introducing Your Gateway Digital MPEG4 Camcorder This section provides basic information about your Gateway Digital MPEG4 Camcorder. Read this section to learn about: Features Warnings and safeguards Package contents Controls and connections © 2003 Gateway, Inc. All rights reserved. Gateway, Gateway Country, the Gateway stylized logo, and the black-and-white spot design are trademarks or registered trademarks of Gateway, Inc. in the United States and other countries. All other brands and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies. 1 Features MPEG4-compressed format 2.1 mega pixel CMOS sensor and 2.5 digital zoom 320 × 240 QVGA video 1600 × 1200 resolution still images Three quality settings -- Super fine, fine, and normal 1.5-inch color LTPS LCD display that swivels 270 degrees Auto flash Accurate color processing 64 MB internal memory to capture and store images Accepts external SD memory cards (up to 512 MB) AV connection to your TV or VCR USB connection to download images to your computer Video editing, creating, and sharing software Photo editing, printing, and sharing software 2 Important Safeguards Warning Risk of electric shock - Do not open To reduce the risk of electric shock, do not modify your camcorder or open the case. There are no user-serviceable parts inside. Opening the case voids the warranty. Have your camcorder repaired by qualified service personnel only. Warnings and precautions Disconnect all cables before moving your camcorder. Moving your camcorder with its cables attached may damage the cables and cause fire or electric shock danger. Do not expose your camcorder to rain or moisture. Do not drop your camcorder. Do not try to operate your camcorder while driving a vehicle. Keep your camcorder away from excessive dust, high temperatures, moisture, or direct sunlight. 3 Disconnect your camcorder and remove the batteries when not used for a long period of time. Do not use any other batteries than ones specified for your camcorder. Never use different types of batteries together (alkaline and Ni-MH) or mix old and new batteries. Disconnect your camcorder and remove the batteries if your camcorder acts in any way abnormal while following normal operating instructions. Do not place your camcorder on an unstable cart, stand, or table. Your camcorder may fall, causing serious damage. Never place your camcorder near or over a radiator or heat source. 4 Package contents Along with your camcorder, the packaging box contains the following items: Camcorder strap Two AA batteries 5 USB cable AV cable 6 Software Digital camcorder Driver for: Windows 98/98SE/ME Windows 2000/XP Copyright© 2003 Gateway, Inc. User's guide 7 Accessories You can purchase these optional accessories for your camcorder: Accessory kit: AC adapter Battery charger and rechargeable batteries Carrying pouch Tripod SD memory cards SD memory card reader Contact Gateway for these and other accessories. 8 Front Power/Menu button LCD display Lens Microphone Flash Self-timer LED Battery/Memory card cover 9 Item Power/Menu button (top) Description Turns your camcorder on and off and enters the OSD (on-screen display). For more information, see "Using the OSD" on page 21. Lets light into your camcorder to capture images. Records audio. Activates when lighting conditions are dark. Blinks blue when in self-timer mode. Open to install batteries and optional SD memory cards. Open to view images you are recording. You can also view images previously recorded using playback mode. The LCD swivels 270 degrees. Lens Microphone Flash Self-timer LED Battery/Memory card cover LCD display 10 Back Flash/ Zoom out/ button button Record/Stop button Zoom in/ Self-timer/ button button System LED indicator Image shutter button Playback/Pause button Digital zoom/OK button Delete button AV out connector USB connector Power connector Wrist strap eyelet Tripod socket 11 Item Flash/ button Description Manually activates flash mode. For additional information, see "Using the flash" on page 33. OSD active: Moves up through menu options. Zoom out/ button Reduces the zoom level. OSD active: Enters a menu and moves to the next item field. System LED indicator Image shutter button Playback/Pause button Displays system status. For additional information, see "LED indicators and audible beeps" on page 50. Takes still photographs with your camcorder. Activates playback mode. Press this button again to pause recording or playback. For additional information, see "Viewing images" on page 36. Starts and stops image recording. Enlarges the zoom level. OSD active: Enters a menu and moves to the next item field. Record/Stop button Zoom in/ button 12 Item Self-timer/ button Description Activates the self-timer. For additional information, see "Using the self-timer" on page 35. OSD active: Moves down through menu options. Digital Zoom/OK button Activates digital zoom. For additional information, see "Using the digital zoom" on page 34. OSD active: Saves menu changes. Delete button AV out connector USB connector Power connector Wrist strap eyelet Tripod socket (bottom) Deletes any images that you do not want to keep. Plug the AV cable in here to send still images or video to an external device, such as a TV or VCR. Plug the USB cable in here to transfer still images or video to your computer. Plug the optional AC power adapter in here. The power adapter does not charge batteries. Attach the wrist strap for your camcorder here. Attach a tripod here to stabilize your camcorder during filming. 13 Getting Started Read this section to learn how to: Connect the wrist strap Install the batteries Install an optional SD memory card Turn on your camcorder Set the date and time Use the OSD (on screen display) menus 14 Connecting the wrist strap To connect the wrist strap: 1 2 Find the wrist strap that came with your camcorder. Thread the small looped end of the wrist strap through the wrist strap eyelet on your camcorder. 3 Pull the large looped end of the wrist strap through the small loop until the strap is secure. 15 Installing the batteries To supply power to your camcorder, use either two AA size batteries (alkaline or Ni-MH) or use an AC power adapter (optional). Warning Never use different types of batteries together (alkaline and Ni-MH) or mix old and new batteries. Tips & Tricks Use rechargeable batteries. See "Accessories" on page 8. To save battery power, an optional AC power adapter is useful for transferring still images or video to your computer, TV, or VCR. 16 To install the batteries: 1 2 Slide open the battery cover. Insert the two AA batteries into your camcorder. Make sure that you match the + and ­ on the batteries with the + and ­ symbols inside the battery compartment. 3 Close the battery cover. Warning To protect your camcorder from battery leakage or corrosion, remove the batteries if you will not be using your camcorder for an extended period of time. 17 Installing an optional SD memory card Your camcorder comes with 64 MB of internal memory to record video and still images. However, you can also expand the memory capacity of your camcorder using optional SD memory cards. Your camcorder uses the SD memory card first, then uses internal memory. To install an SD memory card: 1 2 Slide open the SD memory card cover. Insert the SD memory card. The SD memory card is keyed and will only fit in the slot one way. 3 18 Close the SD memory card cover. To remove an SD memory card: 1 2 3 Make sure that your camcorder is turned off. Slide open the SD memory card cover. Press in gently on the visible edge of the SD memory card to eject it. Tips & Tricks To prevent valuable data from being accidentally erased, slide the write protect tab (on the side of the SD memory card) to "LOCK." 19 Turning on your camcorder To turn on your camcorder: Press and hold the Power/Menu button on the top of your camcorder for two seconds. Setting the date and time The date and time setting screen automatically appears: The first time you turn on your camcorder. When you replace the batteries. Go to "Using the OSD" on page 21 for more information on making changes to OSD menus. 20 Using the OSD Your camcorder features an on-screen display (OSD) that lets you adjust and save date/time, image resolution, and other settings. Your camcorder saves changes you make to the settings, even if you turn it off. To access the OSD: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Turn on your camcorder. Open the LCD display on your camcorder 90 degrees. Press the Power/Menu button on your camcorder to open the OSD. Press the Press the Press the or and buttons to select the OSD menu. buttons to select the option you want to change. buttons to change settings. or Press the OK button when you have finished making your changes. Press the Power/Menu button to exit the OSD. 21 OSD Menu Setup Record Format Beep Speaker LCD brightness Power off Exit: MENU Setup On 5 0 Cancel Change: Setup Y/M/D On NTSC Change: Setup 60Hz Description Format. Formats and erases the internal memory. Also formats and erases an optional SD memory card. Beep. Turns audible mode on and off. Your camcorder beeps whenever a button is pressed when this mode is on. Speaker. Turns the volume of the built-in speaker up or down. LCD brightness. Adjusts the brightness of the LCD display. Power off. Sets the power save mode. Reset to default. Resets camcorder settings to the factory default. Date type. Selects the date format that will be imprinted on your images. Date setup. Sets the date and time. Date imprint. Turns date imprinting on and off. Video out. Select NTSC format ...